High quality medium zoom for Nikon DSLR...
Mar 12, 2015 19:58:32 #
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I'm looking for the highest optical quality I can find for a DX Nikon, which seems to be an exercise in futility. I've checked dxomark (everything stinks according to their tests) Photozone. photodo, this, that, and the other place. I'd like a zoom in the 18-50, or 18-70mm range give or take.
Most tests I read start as follows. "The Whichmacallit is sharp in the center, but soft in the corners wide open." Well do tell. Is there a lens which isn't soft in the corners wide open? Virtually every lens review I've read leaves you with the impression that the lens in question is no more than fair.
Where do inquiring minds go to find a great medium range zoom which is sharp, without a lot of distortion, or some other thing in a list of horrors. I've looked at Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, so far and have come away feeling like they are at best just ok. Any really good lens testing sites you know of? Thanks, ;) pith
Most tests I read start as follows. "The Whichmacallit is sharp in the center, but soft in the corners wide open." Well do tell. Is there a lens which isn't soft in the corners wide open? Virtually every lens review I've read leaves you with the impression that the lens in question is no more than fair.
Where do inquiring minds go to find a great medium range zoom which is sharp, without a lot of distortion, or some other thing in a list of horrors. I've looked at Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, so far and have come away feeling like they are at best just ok. Any really good lens testing sites you know of? Thanks, ;) pith
Mar 12, 2015 20:06:01 #
If I were you I would have a look at Ken Rockwell's site - and I would also recommend you look at the Sigma 17-70 Contemporary - a GREAT lens - and I do not care who says what about it !
Mar 12, 2015 20:07:06 #
What camera do you have? DXOmark, and others, rate lenses according to how they rate on a particular camera body, and the APS-C models don't score as well as FX.
I'd stop looking at DX lenses and consider FX lenses. Edge softness gone on a DX body!
I'd stop looking at DX lenses and consider FX lenses. Edge softness gone on a DX body!
Mar 12, 2015 20:16:10 #
OddJobber wrote:
What camera do you have? DXOmark, and others, rate lenses according to how they rate on a particular camera body, and the APS-C models don't score as well as FX.
I'd stop looking at DX lenses and consider FX lenses. Edge softness gone on a DX body!
I'd stop looking at DX lenses and consider FX lenses. Edge softness gone on a DX body!
One reason to buy all FX lenses.
Mar 12, 2015 20:41:22 #
You might consider trying: NIKON 28-80 G (FX size)
See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm
Having just done a bunch of side-by-side lens tests with it, I am not sure it is the best of the bunch from all the lenses I just got. I would have to some more testing to really say that for myself. However, it is sharp edge to edge as he says. And it's light and tiny, which I love . . . .and you can get it for literally a song and a dance.
See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm
Having just done a bunch of side-by-side lens tests with it, I am not sure it is the best of the bunch from all the lenses I just got. I would have to some more testing to really say that for myself. However, it is sharp edge to edge as he says. And it's light and tiny, which I love . . . .and you can get it for literally a song and a dance.
Mar 12, 2015 20:52:14 #
That's an AF Nikkor, not AF-S, and may not work on pith's as yet unidentified camera.
Mar 12, 2015 20:55:59 #
Best Nikon DX zoom in that range is the 17-55 2.8.
It was made back when Nikon did not have a full-frame camera yet.
It is a pro level lens. I don't miss VR on it bit there are third party lenses in that range that do look for Sigma EX or Art line and the
It was made back when Nikon did not have a full-frame camera yet.
It is a pro level lens. I don't miss VR on it bit there are third party lenses in that range that do look for Sigma EX or Art line and the
Mar 12, 2015 20:56:05 #
Best Nikon DX zoom in that range is the 17-55 2.8.
It was made back when Nikon did not have a full-frame camera yet. It is a pro level lens. I don't miss VR on it but there are third party lenses in that range that do look for Sigma EX or Art line and the 17-70 listed above.
I believe Tamron's offering in that range gets good reviews as well.
It was made back when Nikon did not have a full-frame camera yet. It is a pro level lens. I don't miss VR on it but there are third party lenses in that range that do look for Sigma EX or Art line and the 17-70 listed above.
I believe Tamron's offering in that range gets good reviews as well.
Mar 12, 2015 20:59:18 #
pith wrote:
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I... (show quote)
If money matters, there is no lens that does not go soft in the corners wide open RARELY, do most people have a need to shoot wide open these days - and if they do, - ( mostly for artistic reasons) they want the corners to go "soft" ....
Mar 12, 2015 21:00:03 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
pith wrote:
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I... (show quote)
No ultra-wide-angle zoom lens has impressed me yet, either. For anything wider than 28mm, I use only prime lenses. The 20~35 f/2.8 Nikkor AF D was quite nice, though.
Mar 12, 2015 21:11:25 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
RWR wrote:
No ultra-wide-angle zoom lens has impressed me yet, either. For anything wider than 28mm, I use only prime lenses. The 20~35 f/2.8 Nikkor AF D was quite nice, though.
Which ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses have you used to do your comparison with?
Mar 12, 2015 21:19:07 #
Thank you all for the suggestions. I will look at the Sigma 18-70, and some of the fx lenses as well. ;) pith
Mar 12, 2015 21:28:52 #
Pith, there are no perfect lenses. You have to pick from the best that is available. From what I've seen the best in that range include the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS HSM, and Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS HSM.
Glad to see you here at the UHH.
Glad to see you here at the UHH.
Mar 12, 2015 21:48:00 #
Have you even considered the 24-85mmVR G, f3.5-4.5? It is a FX lens but it is quite crisp through the whole focal range and reasonably priced. It is the "kit" lens for the D6x0 camera and it IS my walk around lens. I like it a lot and you may find it fits your needs, economically.
Plus if you ever make the move to FX you'll have a head start.
Plus if you ever make the move to FX you'll have a head start.
Mar 12, 2015 21:52:36 #
pith wrote:
I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing. I... (show quote)
Nikon 24-70 f2.8, it's fast & tack sharp, rent one before you buy it, It's an amazing lens.
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